Mommy love...

But sometimes Mommies just relax and enjoy the water (and kisses) too.

Time to work...

Now, when Mommy is in the pool it's more about swim practice than play time.  LOL

Zerbets and hugs...

Daddy's give great raspberry "zerbets" and are also great for hugging.  A really only enjoyed the pool without her puddle jumper all summer.  She panicked any time we tried to get her to swim independently even tho that life vest is completely secure.  It wasn't until this LAST swim of the season that H coaxed her out with some noodle play.  I didn't get any pics of them together, but A said she had a lot of fun swimming this time. 

Daddy love...

Labor Day was the first time Daddy got to join us in the pool, so A enjoyed giving him some love.

Noodle fun...

H LOVES the pool noodles and by summer's end was getting really brave about venturing all over the pool with her puddle jumper on.  These were taken on Labor Day, which will most likely be our last swim of the season. 

Sweet and Sassy...

Sweet...

 

and Sassy!

This girl is BOTH!

Swim lessons 6

Sometimes, it's hard waiting for your turn for lessons.

But M enjoyed himself in the water too!  Love their matching expressions!

Swim lessons 5

They love their teacher, Miss Julia!

Swim lessons 4

The kids loved doing their "dunking" as a group, so they would hold hands, take a deep breath and DUNK!

Swim lessons 3

Since this was H's third summer for lessons, she was an old pro.  Totally relaxed for floating and even swimming a few feet unassisted.  Hopefully next summer she can learn to lift her head for a breath, so she can go the whole distance.  At any rate, it was great to see her enjoy the water so much and not be afraid. 

Swimming lessons, 2

Loved watching A entertain herself blowing bubbles while she waited for her turn during lessons.  Cutie!

Swim lessons 1

This was A's first year to do swim lessons and she did pretty well.  By the end of three weeks she was relaxing better for her back float and putting most of her face in the water to blow bubbles.  She would also get "dunked" once during each lesson without tears.  Go A!

Waterlogged...

We took A swimming for the first Grammy Day that H was in kindergarten.  We were sure she would love the individual attention.  However, when I asked her if she had fun afterwards, her answer was "a LITTLE".  Ha ha!  She doesn't like it that we challenge her to do new things in the water.   She finally started having fun on Labor Day, which is usually the last day the water is warm enough for a swim.  Wouldn't you know it?  At any rate, more swim pics to come later.

Tickles and Tenderness...

Daddies are good for both!

I actually shot these at the beginning of July, but am just now catching up on processing.  I know it's been all about H lately and very few pictures of A.  I'm reminding myself that H is in school now and I will only see A on Grammy Days.  I expect she'll get her fill of photos soon! 

And there she goes...

I SO want to become a photographer who can tell a story without words.  For once, I think I hit the mark.  I love how this turned out! (I won't tell you how many takes I needed to get the shot right tho...Ha!)

Oh the places she'll go!  Here's to new beginnings!  And to the ones left behind...sniff.

(PS....how much do you love H's school for a backdrop?  All those great leading lines!)

One last hug and you're on your way...

Once again, we tried the hug shot a few times and I couldn't decide which of these I liked better.  I like them both...for very different reasons. 

Kiss me goodbye...

I tried this one several times. Kissing shots are tricky to time correctly.  Believe it or not, this was the first attempt.  I ASKED for a kiss, but got their tradition of touching noses.  I shot other versions with them centered in the walkway and the composition might have been better, but THIS was the shot I liked best...with their little smiles and H's cute posture of  hands in her backpack pockets.  I didn't even notice it when I was shooting, but love it! Isn't it funny how little things make all the difference?